The history of the discovery and investigation of cosmic rays prior to the advent of the cosmic ray astrophysics is presented. Some data about cosmic rays near the Earth and in the Universe are given. The main part of cosmic rays observed near the Earth is generated in our Galaxy by supernova explosions. The most important problem yet to be solved in cosmic ray astrophysics is the origin of cosmic rays of superhigh energy.

PACS: 98.70.Sa DOI: 10.1070/PU1996v039n02ABEH000132 URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/1996/2/c/ A1996UB80800003 Citation: Ginzburg V L "Cosmic ray astrophysics (history and general review)" Phys. Usp. 39 155–168 (1996) BibTexBibNote ® (generic)BibNote ® (RIS)MedlineRefWorks Оригинал: Гинзбург В Л «Астрофизика космических лучей (история и общий обзор)» УФН 166 169–183 (1996); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0166.199602c.0169